15/3/2008 English Premier League - Portsmouth vs Aston Villa

Portsmouth will be in buoyant mood heading into this live online commentary English Premier League match against rivals Aston Villa for a European slot after cooly dispatching Birmingham in midweek league action. Jermaine Defoe was in red-hot form after adding another brace of goals to his increasing tally for his new club where he appears to have found a manager willing to play him consistently. Harry Redknapp has always had belief in the pint-sized quicksilver striker and he had always been monitoring Defoe's situation at Spurs. Once Redknapp realised that Defoe was caught in a situation that did not allow him much playing time, he was quick to go in to get his man. Defoe also realised that with limited playing opportunities at Spurs and strikers such as Berbatov and Keane being preferred by Juande Ramos, it would have been better were he to join another club in order to allow him more exposure and playing time. Ultimately it might also have been partly to get himself back within the radar with England manager Fabio Capello.

Martin O'Neill must be tearing his hair out with the increasing number of points dropped by Aston Villa in the run in to the end of the season as they attempt to qualify for Europe. With only one realistic European slot remaining - that of the UEFA Cup with fifth place in the English Premier League, they now face an absolutely must win situation for their remaining games in the league, starting with this live online commentary and streaming radio broadcast match between Portsmouth and Aston Villa. You would have believed that with Carew and Agbonlahor seemingly on fire, they would be able to carry a defensively sound Villa team into a better position to challenge Liverpool and Everton. Unfortunately the challenge seems to have faltered over the last few games despite creditable results against the likes of Arsenal. The midweek draw with Boro before this live online commentary and streaming radio broadcast match between Portsmouth and Aston Villa was especially damning, as they failed to take advantage of their game in hand to make much ground on the leading pair for the rest of the available European slots.

Portsmouth might have their strikers hitting form at this time, but it might be Aston Villa's strength in defence that could lead to them snatching the points on offer in this live online commentary and streaming radio telecast soccer match between Portsmouth and Aston Villa. In allowing Birmingham to level with two goals temporarily in midweek, Harry Redknapp's side exposed their defensive limitations and fortunately, they had players who knew how to score. Against a tough and stout Martin O'Neill team, that might not be sufficient if you do not also learn how to defend whatever lead your goalscorers can provide. Whether Aston Villa can get their European push back on track remains to be seen but they have a great chance to do so against a strong opponent in this live online commentary and streaming radio broadcast soccer game at Portsmouth.